Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 56857 

36See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

37Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of April 19, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

this notice and does not otherwise 

violate the student’s nonimmigrant 

status, included as provided under 8 

CFR 214.1(g), the nonimmigrant will be 

able to maintain compliance 

requirements for F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status while having TPS. 

When a student applies simultaneously 

for TPS and benefits under this notice, 

what is the minimum course load 

requirement while an application for 

employment authorization is pending? 

The F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

maintain normal course load 

requirements for a ‘‘full course of 

study’’ 36 unless or until the 

nonimmigrant student receives 

employment authorization under this 

notice. TPS-related employment 

authorization, by itself, does not 

authorize a nonimmigrant student to 

drop below twelve credit hours, or 

otherwise applicable minimum 

requirements (e.g., clock hours for nontraditional academic programs). Once 

approved for a TPS-related EAD and 

Special Student Relief employment 

authorization, as indicated by the DSO’s 

required entry in SEVIS and issuance of 

an updated Form I–20 , the F–1 

nonimmigrant student may drop below 

twelve credit hours, or otherwise 

applicable minimum requirements (with 

a minimum of six semester or quarter 

hours of instruction per academic term 

if at the undergraduate level, or for a 

minimum of three semester or quarter 

hours of instruction per academic term 

if at the graduate level). See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(5)(v), (f)(6), and (f)(9)(i) and (ii). 

How does a student who has received 

a TPS-related EAD then apply for 

authorization to take a reduced course 

load under this notice? 

There is no further application 

process with USCIS if a student has 

been approved for a TPS-related EAD. 

The F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

demonstrate and provide 

documentation to the DSO of the direct 

economic hardship resulting from the 

current armed conflict in Ukraine. The 

DSO will then verify and update the 

student’s record in SEVIS to enable the 

F–1 nonimmigrant student with TPS to 

reduce the course load without any 

further action or application. No other 

EAD needs to be issued for the F–1 

nonimmigrant student to have 

employment authorization. 

Can a noncitizen who has been granted 

TPS apply for reinstatement of F–1 

nonimmigrant student status after the 

noncitizen’s F–1 nonimmigrant student 

status has lapsed? 

Yes. Regulations permit certain 

students who fall out of F–1 

nonimmigrant student status to apply 

for reinstatement. See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(16). This provision may apply 

to students who worked on a TPSrelated EAD or dropped their course 

load before publication of this notice, 

and therefore fell out of student status. 

These students must satisfy the criteria 

set forth in the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status reinstatement regulations. 

How long will this notice remain in 

effect? 

This notice grants temporary relief 

until April 19, 2025,37 to eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students. DHS will 

continue to monitor the situation in 

Ukraine. Should the special provisions 

authorized by this notice need 

modification or extension, DHS will 

announce such changes in the Federal 

Register. 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 

An F–1 nonimmigrant student seeking 

off-campus employment authorization 

due to severe economic hardship 

resulting from the current armed 

conflict in Ukraine must demonstrate to 

the DSO that this employment is 

necessary to avoid severe economic 

hardship. A DSO who agrees that a 

nonimmigrant student should receive 

such employment authorization must 

recommend an application approval to 

USCIS by entering information in the 

remarks field of the student’s SEVIS 

record. The authority to collect this 

information is in the SEVIS collection of 

information currently approved by the 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) under OMB Control Number 

1653–0038. 

This notice also allows an eligible F– 

1 nonimmigrant student to request 

employment authorization, work an 

increased number of hours while the 

academic institution is in session, and 

reduce their course load while 

continuing to maintain F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. 

To apply for employment 

authorization, certain F–1 

nonimmigrant students must complete 

and submit a currently approved Form 

I–765 according to the instructions on 

the form. OMB has previously approved 

the collection of information contained 

on the current Form I–765, consistent 

with the PRA (OMB Control No. 1615– 

0040). Although there will be a slight 

increase in the number of Form I–765 

filings because of this notice, the 

number of filings currently contained in 

the OMB annual inventory for Form I– 

765 is sufficient to cover the additional 

filings. Accordingly, there is no further 

action required under the PRA. 

Alejandro Mayorkas, 

Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security. 

[FR Doc. 2023–17872 Filed 8–18–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–28–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement 

[Docket No. ICEB–2023–0004] 

RIN 1653–ZA39 

Employment Authorization for 

Sudanese F–1 Nonimmigrant Students 

Experiencing Severe Economic 

Hardship as a Direct Result of the 

Current Crisis in Sudan 

AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement; Department of Homeland 

Security. 

ACTION: Notice. 

SUMMARY: This notice announces that 

the Secretary of Homeland Security 

(Secretary) is suspending certain 

regulatory requirements for F–1 

nonimmigrant students whose country 

of citizenship is Sudan, regardless of 

country of birth (or individuals having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Sudan), and who are 

experiencing severe economic hardship 

as a direct result of the current crisis in 

Sudan. The Secretary is taking action to 

provide relief to these Sudanese 

students who are in lawful F–1 

nonimmigrant student status, so the 

students may request employment 

authorization, work an increased 

number of hours while school is in 

session, and reduce their course load 

while continuing to maintain their F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. The U.S. 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS) will deem an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student granted employment 

authorization by means of this notice to 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
56858 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 

1Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F-1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of April 19, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

2The Sovereign Council removed Sudan’s former 

President Omar al-Bashir, after 30 years in power. 

After Bashir, A New Dawn in Sudan? U.S. Institute 

of Peace, April 17, 2019, available at https://

www.usip.org/publications/2019/04/after-bashirnew-dawn-sudan-part-1 (last visited on Apr. 17, 

2023). 

3 2020 Country Reports on Human Rights 

Practices: Sudan, DOS, March 30, 2020, available at 

https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-country-reportson-human-rights-practices/sudan/ (last visited on 

Apr. 17, 2023). 

4 Id. 

5 Rapid Support Forces (RSF) is a paramilitary 

force established in 2013 by former President alBashir. It was ‘‘fashioned out of Janjaweed militias 

and was assembled in response to anti-government 

rebel movements in Darfur.’’ ‘‘It has also been 

accused of a myriad of human rights abuses in 

Darfur and elsewhere.’’ The Rapid Support Forces 

and the Escalation of Violence in Sudan, ACLED, 

July 2019, acleddata.com/2019/07/02/the-rapidsupport-forces-and-the-escalation-of-violence-insudan/ (last visited May 10, 2023). 

6 Sudan strongman is seen as an insider with 

powerful allies, AP News, October 27, 2021, 

available at https://apnews.com/article/sudan-whois-abdel-fattah-burhan-3f2d4d660fabf1b

526f09f04808af7c8 (last visited on Apr. 17, 2023). 

7 2019 Country Reports on Human Rights 

Practices: Sudan, U.S. Department of State, March 

30, 2020, available at https://www.state.gov/reports/ 

2019-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/ 

sudan/ (last visited Apr. 17, 2023). 

8 Appetite for Destruction: The Military 

Counterrevolution in Sudan, ACLED, October 29, 

2021, available at https://acleddata.com/2021/10/ 

29/appetite-for-destruction-the-military-counterrevolution-in-sudan/ (last visited July 25, 2023). 

9 Watch List 2022; Sudan: Toward a Reset for the 

Transition, International Crisis Group, Jan. 27, 

2022, available at https://www.ecoi.net/en/

document/2069005.html (last visited Mar. 29, 

2023). 

10 Sudan coup: Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok 

resigns after mass protests, BBC News, 3 Jan. 2022, 

available at https://www.bbc.com/news/worldafrica-59855246 (last visited May 10, 2022). 

11Letter dated 7 February 2023 from the Panel of 

Experts on the Sudan addressed to the President of 

the Security Council; Final report of the Panel of 

Experts on the Sudan, UN Security Council, 

February 7, 2023, available at https://www.ecoi.net/ 

en/file/local/2087153/N2303752.pdf (last visited 

Mar. 29, 2023). 

be engaged in a ‘‘full course of study’’ 

for the duration of the employment 

authorization, if the nonimmigrant 

student satisfies the minimum course 

load requirement described in this 

notice. 

DATES: This action is effective October 

20, 2023, through April 19, 2025. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sharon Snyder, Unit Chief, Policy and 

Response Unit, Student and Exchange 

Visitor Program, MS 5600, U.S. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 

500 12th Street SW, Washington, DC 

20536–5600; email: sevp@ice.dhs.gov, 

telephone: (703) 603–3400. This is not 

a toll-free number. Program information 

can be found at https://www.ice.gov/ 

sevis/. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

What action is DHS taking under this 

notice? 

The Secretary is exercising authority 

under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9) to temporarily 

suspend the applicability of certain 

requirements governing on-campus and 

off-campus employment for F–1 

nonimmigrant students whose country 

of citizenship is Sudan regardless of 

country of birth (or individuals having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Sudan), who are present in 

the United States in lawful F–1 

nonimmigrant student status on the date 

of publication of this notice, and who 

are experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of the current 

crisis in Sudan. The original notice, 

which suspended certain regulatory 

requirements for F–1 nonimmigrant 

students experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of the crisis 

at that time is effective from April 19, 

2022, through October 19, 2023. See 87 

FR 23195 (Apr. 19, 2022). Effective with 

this publication, suspension of the 

employment limitations is available 

through April 19, 2025, for those who 

are in lawful F–1 nonimmigrant status 

on the date of publication of this notice. 

DHS will deem an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student granted employment 

authorization through this notice to be 

engaged in a ‘‘full course of study’’ for 

the duration of the employment 

authorization, if the student satisfies the 

minimum course load set forth in this 

notice.1 See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). 

Who is covered by this notice? 

This notice applies exclusively to F– 

1 nonimmigrant students who meet all 

of the following conditions: 

(1) Are a citizen of Sudan regardless 

of country of birth (or an individual 

having no nationality who last 

habitually resided in Sudan); 

(2) Were lawfully present in the 

United States on the date of publication 

of this notice in F–1 nonimmigrant 

status under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of 

the Immigration and Nationality Act 

(INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i); 

(3) Are enrolled in an academic 

institution that is Student and Exchange 

Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified for 

enrollment for F–1 nonimmigrant 

students; 

(4) Are currently maintaining F–1 

nonimmigrant status; and 

(5) Are experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of the current 

crisis in Sudan. 

This notice applies to F–1 

nonimmigrant students in an approved 

private school in kindergarten through 

grade 12, public school grades 9 through 

12, and undergraduate and graduate 

education. An F–1 nonimmigrant 

student covered by this notice who 

transfers to another SEVP-certified 

academic institution remains eligible for 

the relief provided by means of this 

notice. 

Why is DHS taking this action? 

DHS is taking action to provide relief 

to Sudanese F–1 nonimmigrant students 

experiencing severe economic hardship 

due to the current crisis in Sudan. Based 

on its review of country conditions in 

Sudan and input received from the U.S. 

Department of State (DOS), DHS is 

taking action to allow eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students from Sudan to 

request employment authorization, 

work an increased number of hours 

while school is in session, and reduce 

their course load while continuing to 

maintain F–1 nonimmigrant student 

status. 

In August 2019, a transitional 

government,2 known as the Sovereign 

Council, comprised of military and 

civilian members, was established in 

Sudan.3 General Abdel Fatah al-Burhan, 

a top military figure in the Sudanese 

Armed Forces (SAF) led the council.4

General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, 

also known as Hemedti, head of the 

Rapid Support Forces (RSF),5 served as 

the deputy to General al-Burhan.6 On 

August 20, 2021, Dr. Abdalla Hamdok 

was sworn in as the prime minister of 

Sudan.7 However, on October 25, 2021, 

Sudan faced a military takeover of the 

transitional government led by General 

al-Burhan with the support of General 

Hemedti.8 Prime Minister Hamdok was 

removed from power and taken to an 

undisclosed location. In December 2021, 

General al-Burhan ‘‘issued an edict 

giving authorities sweeping powers to 

clamp down on dissent, including 

granting security officers immunity from 

prosecution in carrying out these 

orders.’’ 9 Prime Minister Hamdock was 

eventually freed and officially resigned 

as the Sudanese prime minister on 

January 2, 2022.10

In February 2023, the United Nations 

(UN) Panel of Experts on Sudan 

reported that Sudan continued to face a 

political crisis at the national level, with 

regular demonstrations against the rule 

of the military.11 It further reported that 

a path to a transition towards a fully 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 56859 

12 Id. 

13Situation in Sudan and the activities of the 

UNITAMS, UN Security Council, September 2, 

2022, available at https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/

local/2078615/N2258000-1.pdf (last visited Mar. 29, 

2023). 

14 ‘‘In January 2015, the RSF, which had been 

operating under the command of the National 

Intelligence Security Services, became part of the 

regular government forces through a constitutional 

amendment. In April 2015, the RSF were placed 

under the command of the Presidency. In January 

2017, the Parliament passed the Rapid Support 

Forces Act, integrating those forces into the Sudan 

Armed Forces.’’ Report of the Secretary-General on 

children and armed conflict in Sudan, UN Security 

Council, March 6, 2017, available at http://

www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/ 

2017/191&referer=/english/&Lang=E (last visited 

Apr. 17, 2023). 

15 Dozens of civilians are dead as rival military 

factions batter for control of Sudan, National Public 

Radio, April 17, 2023, available at https://

www.npr.org/2023/04/16/1170289462/sudansarmy-and-rsf-are-doing-battle-leaving-56-civiliansdead (last visited Apr. 17, 2023). 

16Sudan Situation Report, UNOCHA, April 17, 

2023, available at https://reliefweb.int/report/

sudan/sudan-clashes-between-sudanese-armedforces-and-rapid-support-forces-flash-update-16-

april-2023-enar (last visited July 25, 2023). 

17Sudan—Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #15, 

Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, USAID, available at https:// 

reliefweb.int/report/sudan/sudan-complexemergency-fact-sheet-15-fiscal-year-fy-2023 (last 

visited August 4, 2023). 

18Sudan: Overview Complex Crisis, Assessments 

Capacities Project (ACAPS) April 13, 2022, 

available at https://www.acaps.org/country/sudan/

crisis/violence-in-darfur-and-kordofan-regions (last 

visited Apr. 11, 2023). 

19 Id. 

20Humanitarian Needs Overview Sudan 2023, 

UNOCHA, November 2, 2022, available at file:///C:/ 

Users/RMoehri/AppData/Local/Temp/1/

MicrosoftEdgeDownloads/1437637c-ce66–4ebe9716-e86db118cf30/SDN_2023–HNO.pdf (last 

visited July 26, 2023). 

21 Id. 

22Sudan: Overview Complex Crisis, ACAPS April 

13, 2022, available at https://www.acaps.org/ 

fileadmin/Data_Product/Main_media/20220324_

acaps_global_risk_report_march_2022.pdf (last 

visited July 25, 2023). 

23Sudan: Situation Report, UNOCHA, available at 

file://one.dhs/wpaas-ice/ten3-homedir/RMOEHRI/

Downloads/Situation%20Report%20-%20Sudan

%20-%2027%20Mar%202022.pdf (last visited July 

25, 2023). 

24Sudan Key Message Update: Exceedingly high 

cost of living and conflict undermine benefits of 

harvest, March 2023, Famine Early Warning System 

Network, April 6, 2023, available at https://

reliefweb.int/report/sudan/sudan-key-messageupdate-exceedingly-high-cost-living-and-conflictundermine-benefits-harvest-march-2023 (last 

visited May 17, 2023). 

25Sudan Key Figures, UNOCHA, available at 

https://m.reliefweb.int/country/220/sdn?figuresdisplay=all (last visited Apr. 17, 2023). 

26 Id. 

27 Id. 

28Sudan: Floods: People & areas affected, 

UNOCHA, October 2, 2022, available at https://

reliefweb.int/map/sudan/sudan-floods-peopleareas-affected-02-october-2022 (last visited Apr. 17, 

2023). 

29Sudan Key Figures, UNOCHA, available at 

https://m.reliefweb.int/country/220/sdn?figuresdisplay=all (last visited Apr. 17, 2023). 

30 International Organization for Migration (IOM), 

DTM Sudan—Situation Report (16), Aug 8, 2023, 

https://dtm.iom.int/reports/dtm-sudan-situationreport-16 (last visited Aug. 9, 2023) 

31Humanitarian Needs Overview Sudan 2023, 

UNOCHA, November 2, 2022, available to 

download at https://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/ 

sudan-humanitarian-needs-overview-2023- 

november-2022?_gl=1*1a32v0y*_

ga*MjA2NjI5MjkzOS4xNjkwMzcxNzYy*_ga_

E60ZNX2F68*MTY5MDM3MTc2MS4xLjEuMTY5

MDM3MTgwNS4xNi4wLjA. (last visited July 25, 

2023). 

32 Id. 

civilian government remained 

unclear.12 Moreover, the UN Security 

Council reported, in September 2022, 

that the lack of a political agreement 

and a fully functioning government 

contributed to insecurity in various 

parts of Sudan, as well as to the 

deterioration of the economic and 

humanitarian situation.13

In April 2023, tensions between 

General Burhan and General Hemedti 

led to armed conflict between the 

Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the 

RSF.14 The conflict was caused by a 

disagreement over how the RSF would 

be integrated into the SAF.15 On April 

16, 2023, the UN Office for the 

Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 

(UNOCHA) further reported on security 

conditions in the country stating that 

clashes between the SAF and the RSF 

erupted in Khartoum just before 9:00 

a.m. on April 15, 2023. Additionally, 

heavy gunfire and explosions were 

heard from several locations in 

Khartoum. The RSF released a statement 

claiming to have taken control of 

Khartoum International Airport, the 

Presidential Palace, state television, and 

other key locations in the city. News of 

clashes at the military base in Merowe 

in Northern State and heavy exchanges 

of fire at the Soba military base in the 

south of Khartoum were also reported 

around the same time. Shortly after, 

heavy fighting was heard at the airport 

and the Sudanese Air Force attacked 

RSF positions from the air. Several 

civilian planes were reportedly 

damaged, and unconfirmed reports have 

indicated that the damaged aircraft 

includes the only UN Humanitarian Air 

Service (UNHAS) fixed-wing plane still 

in service following a recent funding 

shortage.16 The United States Agency 

for International Development (USAID) 

reports that at least 3,900 people have 

been killed since the conflict began, 

although the true toll is likely much 

higher.17

Economic Situation 

Sudan’s political stalemate has 

negatively impacted its economy.18 In 

2022, Sudan’s government devalued its 

currency, causing the inflation rate to 

surpass 300 percent.19 In 2022, Sudan’s 

economy remained highly dependent on 

agriculture, which contributes to nearly 

a third of the country’s gross domestic 

product (GDP), and provides livelihoods 

to approximately two-thirds of Sudan’s 

population.20 However, the rising prices 

of fuel, agricultural tools, and fertilizer 

has impeded local production costs 

further eroding the already limited 

purchasing power of the majority of the 

population.21

Moreover, continued insecurity, intercommunal violence and rising floods 

led to price hikes of basic services in 

Sudan.22 Continued increases in the 

prices of food and transportation, and 

the local food basket are expected to 

continue impacting the purchasing 

power of poor households and likely 

drive an increase in the inflation rate. 

The Food and Agriculture Organization 

(FAO) estimate that 5.6 million people 

are affected by the dry spells in addition 

to the 9.8 million people that are food 

insecure due to the current economic 

crisis, as well as fuel and price hikes.23

In April 2023, the Famine Early 

Warning System Network, reported that 

‘‘Sudan’s economic conditions remain 

poor, as low foreign currency reserves 

and currency depreciation resulted in 

high inflation rates.’’ 24

Numbers at a Glance 

• Number of People in Need: 

24,700,000 (since December 14, 2022, as 

of May 17, 2023) 25

• Children in Need: 8,500,000 (since 

December 14, 2021, as of December 5, 

2022) 26

• People Internally Displaced: 

2,613,036(since July 11, 2023, as of July 

18, 2023) 27

• People Affected by Floods: 

348,724 28

• People in Food Crisis/Emergency: 

11,700,000 (since April 30, 2022, as of 

June 21, 2022) 29

Displacement 

As of March 2023, there were more 

than 3.8 million Internally Displaced 

Person(s) (IDPs) in Sudan, and this 

figure has increased since conflict began 

in April 2023.30 In November 2022, 

UNOCHA reported that at least 2 

million IDPs were under the age of 18 

and had been displaced for most of their 

lives, and that 52 percent of IDPs were 

female.31

Moreover, the living conditions for 

IDPs in Sudan remains dire, as many 

IDPs have been displaced multiple 

times and have been traumatized, 

physically abused, injured, or have lost 

family members, personal belongings, 

shelters, villages and access to land, 

water points and firewood collection.32


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
56860 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 

33Sudan Flash Update: Conflict in Blue Nile 

State, Flash Update No. 07 (3 November 2023), 

UNOCHA, available at https://reports.unocha.org/

en/country/sudan/card/1LiGbNBeVA/ (last visited 

July 25, 2023). 34Clashes displace thousands in Darfur, UN 

News, available at https://news.un.org/en/story/ 

2021/12/1107292 (last visited July 25, 2023). 35Sudan: Displacement due to conflict in Blue 

Nile state, UNOCHA, available at file:///C:/Users/ 

RMoehri/AppData/Local/Temp/5/ 

MicrosoftEdgeDownloads/6a6ada21–4fb3–4037– 

97c4-e30d13f460c6/20220728_acaps_briefing_note_

sudan_displacement_in_blue_nile_state_

0%20(1).pdf (last visited July 25, 2023). 

36 Id. 

37Humanitarian Needs Overview Sudan 2023, 

UNOCHA, November 2, 2022, available at https:// 

reliefweb.int/report/sudan/sudan-humanitarianneeds-overview-2023-november-2022 (last visited 

Apr. 7, 2023). 

38Situation in Sudan and the activities of the 

UNITAMS, UN Security Council, September 2, 

2022, available at https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/

local/2078615/N2258000-1.pdf (last visited Mar. 29, 

2023). 

39Sudan Overview, ACAPS, January 1, 2023, 

available at https://www.acaps.org/fileadmin/Data_

Product/Main_media/20230419_acaps_briefing_

note_sudan_conflict.pdf (last visited July 25, 2023). 

40Humanitarian Needs Overview Sudan 2023, 

UNOCHA, November 2, 2022, available at file:///C:/ 

Users/RMoehri/AppData/Local/Temp/5/ 

MicrosoftEdgeDownloads/d53a1d63–7c1f-4270- 

a55b-486349498546/SDN_2023–HNO.pdf (last 

visited July 25, 2023). 41 Id. 42Sudan: Humanitarian Key Messages (February 

2023), UNOCHA, February 26, 2023, https://

reliefweb.int/report/sudan/sudan-humanitariankey-messages-february-2023 (last visited on July 25, 

2023). 43 2022 Country Reports on Human Rights 

Practices: Sudan, U.S. Department of State, March 

23, 2023, available at https://www.state.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2023/02/415610_SUDAN-2022- 

HUMAN-RIGHTS-REPORT.pdf (last visited Apr. 7, 

2023). 

UNOCHA reported in November 2022 

that the majority of IDPs continue to 

reside in temporary sites and are unable 

to return to their homes or previous 

displacement sites due to security 

concerns.33

Forced displacement due to conflict is 

concentrated in Darfur’s states, which 

host 85 percent of Sudan’s total IDP 

population.34 In July 2022, rising intercommunal violence in the Blue Nile 

region resulted in the forced 

displacement of some additional 12,800 

people.35 The UN Integrated Transition 

Assistance Mission in Sudan 

(UNITAMS) further reported that, in 

March 2023, local violence in Darfur, 

Blue Nile, and South and West 

Kordofan that mainly concerned access 

to and control of resources contributed 

to the displacement of civilians. Over 

16,000 people were displaced due to 

violence between December 2022 and 

February 2023.36

Food Security 

The number of food insecure people 

in Sudan continued to increase in 

2022.37 In September 2022, the UN 

reported that almost one quarter of the 

population was estimated to be facing 

acute hunger.38 In addition, according to 

ACAPS, in 2022 at least three million 

children under the age of five suffered 

from malnutrition.39

Vulnerable Populations 

Members of vulnerable groups, 

including women and children, 

continue to face a range of risks, 

including gender-based violence (GBV), 

as well as other human rights abuses.40

In 2022, gender-based violence 

remained a grave concern across 

Sudan.41 In February 2023, UNITAMS 

reported that the UN Joint Human 

Rights Office continued to receive 

reports of sexual violence against 

women from camps for IDPs who engage 

in livelihood activities outside the 

camps.42 There have also been several 

reports of security forces engaging in 

sexual violence against women across 

the country, reportedly to discourage 

their participation in protests and 

demonstrations.43

As of August 8, 2023, approximately 

351 F–1 nonimmigrant students from 

Sudan are enrolled at SEVP-certified 

academic institutions in the United 

States. Given the extent of the current 

crisis in Sudan, affected students whose 

primary means of financial support 

comes from Sudan may need to be 

exempt from the normal student 

employment requirements to continue 

their studies in the United States. The 

current crisis has made it unfeasible for 

many students to safely return to Sudan 

for the foreseeable future. Without 

employment authorization, these 

students may lack the means to meet 

basic living expenses. 

What is the minimum course load 

requirement to maintain valid F–1 

nonimmigrant status under this notice? 

Undergraduate F–1 nonimmigrant 

students who receive on-campus or offcampus employment authorization 

under this notice must remain registered 

for a minimum of six semester or 

quarter hours of instruction per 

academic term. Undergraduate F–1 

nonimmigrant students enrolled in a 

term of different duration must register 

for at least one half of the credit hours 

normally required under a ‘‘full course 

of study.’’ See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(B) 

and (F). A graduate-level F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives oncampus or off-campus employment 

authorization under this notice must 

remain registered for a minimum of 

three semester or quarter hours of 

instruction per academic term. See 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v). Nothing in this 

notice affects the applicability of other 

minimum course load requirements set 

by the academic institution. 

In addition, an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student (either undergraduate or 

graduate) granted on-campus or offcampus employment authorization 

under this notice may count up to the 

equivalent of one class or three credits 

per session, term, semester, trimester, or 

quarter of online or distance education 

toward satisfying this minimum course 

load requirement, unless their course of 

study is in an English language study 

program. See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G). An 

F–1 nonimmigrant student attending an 

approved private school in kindergarten 

through grade 12 or public school in 

grades 9 through 12 must maintain 

‘‘class attendance for not less than the 

minimum number of hours a week 

prescribed by the school for normal 

progress toward graduation,’’ as 

required under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(E). 

Nothing in this notice affects the 

applicability of federal and state labor 

laws limiting the employment of 

minors. 

May an eligible F–1 nonimmigrant 

student who already has on-campus or 

off-campus employment authorization 

benefit from the suspension of 

regulatory requirements under this 

notice? 

Yes. An F–1 nonimmigrant student 

who is a Sudanese citizen, regardless of 

country of birth (or an individual having 

no nationality who last habitually 

resided in Sudan), who already has oncampus or off-campus employment 

authorization and is otherwise eligible 

may benefit under this notice, which 

suspends certain regulatory 

requirements relating to the minimum 

course load requirement under 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(6)(i) and certain employment 

eligibility requirements under 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(9). Such an eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant student may benefit 

without having to apply for a new Form 

I–766, Employment Authorization 

Document (EAD). To benefit from this 

notice, the F–1 nonimmigrant student 

must request that their designated 

school official (DSO) enter the following 

statement in the remarks field of the 

student’s Student and Exchange Visitor 

Information System (SEVIS) record, 

which the student’s Form I–20, 

Certificate of Eligibility for 

Nonimmigrant (F–1) Student Status, 

will reflect: 

Approved for more than 20 hours per week 

of [DSO must insert ‘‘on-campus’’ or ‘‘offcampus,’’ depending upon the type of 

employment authorization the student 

already has] employment authorization and 

reduced course load under the Special 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 56861 

44Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of April 19, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

45See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

46Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of April 19, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

Student Relief authorization from [DSO must 

insert the beginning date of the notice or the 

beginning date of the student’s employment, 

whichever date is later] until [DSO must 

insert either the student’s program end date, 

the current EAD expiration date (if the 

student is currently authorized for offcampus employment), or the end date of this 

notice, whichever date comes first].44

Must the F–1 nonimmigrant student 

apply for reinstatement after expiration 

of this special employment 

authorization if the student reduces his 

or her ‘‘full course of study’’? 

No. DHS will deem an F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives and 

comports with the employment 

authorization permitted under this 

notice to be engaged in a ‘‘full course of 

study’’ 45 for the duration of the 

student’s employment authorization, 

provided that a qualifying 

undergraduate level F–1 nonimmigrant 

student remains registered for a 

minimum of six semester or quarter 

hours of instruction per academic term, 

and a qualifying graduate level F–1 

nonimmigrant student remains 

registered for a minimum of three 

semester or quarter hours of instruction 

per academic term. See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(5)(v) and (f)(6)(i)(F). 

Undergraduate F–1 nonimmigrant 

students enrolled in a term of different 

duration must register for at least one 

half of the credit hours normally 

required under a ‘‘full course of study.’’ 

See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(B) and (F). DHS 

will not require such students to apply 

for reinstatement under 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(16) if they are otherwise 

maintaining F–1 nonimmigrant status. 

Will an F–2 dependent (spouse or 

minor child) of an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student covered by this notice be 

eligible for employment authorization? 

No. An F–2 spouse or minor child of 

an F–1 nonimmigrant student is not 

authorized to work in the United States 

and, therefore, may not accept 

employment under the F–2 

nonimmigrant status, consistent with 

8CFR 214.2(f)(15)(i). 

Will the suspension of the applicability 

of the standard student employment 

requirements apply to an individual 

who receives an initial F–1 visa and 

makes an initial entry into the United 

States after the effective date of this 

notice in the Federal Register? 

No. The suspension of the 

applicability of the standard regulatory 

requirements only applies to certain F– 

1 nonimmigrant students who meet the 

following conditions: 

(1) Are a citizen of Sudan regardless 

of country of birth (or an individual 

having no nationality who last 

habitually resided in Sudan); 

(2) Were lawfully present in the 

United States on the date of publication 

of this notice in F–1 nonimmigrant 

status, under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of 

the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i); 

(3) Are enrolled in an academic 

institution that is SEVP-certified for 

enrollment of F–1 nonimmigrant 

students; 

(4) Are maintaining F–1 

nonimmigrant status; and 

(5) Are experiencing severe economic 

hardship as a direct result of the current 

crisis in Sudan. 

An F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

does not meet all these requirements is 

ineligible for the suspension of the 

applicability of the standard regulatory 

requirements (even if experiencing 

severe economic hardship as a direct 

result of the current crisis in Sudan). 

Does this notice apply to a continuing 

F–1 nonimmigrant student who departs 

the United States after the effective date 

of this notice in the Federal Register 

and who needs to obtain a new F–1 visa 

before returning to the United States to 

continue an educational program? 

Yes. This notice applies to such an F– 

1 nonimmigrant student, but only if the 

DSO has properly notated the student’s 

SEVIS record, which will then appear 

on the student’s Form I–20. The normal 

rules for visa issuance remain 

applicable to a nonimmigrant who 

needs to apply for a new F–1 visa to 

continue an educational program in the 

United States. 

Does this notice apply to elementary 

school, middle school, and high school 

students in F–1 status? 

Yes. However, this notice does not by 

itself reduce the required course load for 

F–1 nonimmigrant students from Sudan 

enrolled in kindergarten through grade 

12 at a private school, or grades 9 

through 12 at a public high school. Such 

students must maintain the minimum 

number of hours of class attendance per 

week prescribed by the academic 

institution for normal progress toward 

graduation, as required under 

8CFR214.2(f)(6)(i)(E). The suspension of 

certain regulatory requirements related 

to employment through this notice is 

applicable to all eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students regardless of 

educational level. Eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students from Sudan 

enrolled in an elementary school, 

middle school, or high school may 

benefit from the suspension of the 

requirement in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) that 

limits on-campus employment to 20 

hours per week while school is in 

session. 

On-Campus Employment Authorization 

Will an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

receives on-campus employment 

authorization under this notice be 

authorized to work more than 20 hours 

per week while school is in session? 

Yes. For an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student covered in this notice, the 

Secretary is suspending the 

applicability of the requirement in 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) that limits an F–1 

nonimmigrant student’s on-campus 

employment to 20 hours per week while 

school is in session. An eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant student has authorization 

to work more than 20 hours per week 

while school is in session if the DSO has 

entered the following statement in the 

remarks field of the student’s SEVIS 

record, which will be reflected on the 

student’s Form I–20: 

Approved for more than 20 hours per week 

of on-campus employment and reduced 

course load, under the Special Student Relief 

authorization from [DSO must insert the 

beginning date of this notice or the beginning 

date of the student’s employment, whichever 

date is later] until [DSO must insert the 

student’s program end date or the end date 

of this notice, whichever date comes first].46

To obtain on-campus employment 

authorization, the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student must demonstrate to the DSO 

that the employment is necessary to 

avoid severe economic hardship directly 

resulting from the current crisis in 

Sudan. An F–1 nonimmigrant student 

authorized by the DSO to engage in oncampus employment by means of this 

notice does not need to file any 

applications with U.S. Citizenship and 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
56862 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 

47 See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

48Minimum course load requirement for 

enrollment in a school must be established in a 

publicly available document (e.g., catalog, website, 

or operating procedure), and it must be a standard 

applicable to all students (U.S. citizens and foreign 

students) enrolled at the school. 

49See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

50Minimum course load requirement for 

enrollment in a school must be established in a 

publicly available document (e.g., catalog, website, 

or operating procedure), and it must be a standard 

applicable to all students (U.S. citizens and foreign 

students) enrolled at the school. 

51See 8 CFR 274a.12(c)(3)(iii). 

52Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of April 19, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

53See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

Immigration Services (USCIS). The 

standard rules permitting full-time oncampus employment when school is not 

in session or during school vacations 

apply, as described in 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(9)(i). 

Will an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

receives on-campus employment 

authorization under this notice have 

authorization to reduce the normal 

course load and still maintain his or her 

F–1 nonimmigrant student status? 

Yes. DHS will deem an F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives oncampus employment authorization 

under this notice to be engaged in a 

‘‘full course of study’’ 47 for the purpose 

of maintaining their F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status for the duration of the oncampus employment, if the student 

satisfies the minimum course load 

requirement described in this notice, 

consistent with 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). 

However, the authorization to reduce 

the normal course load is solely for DHS 

purposes of determining valid F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. Nothing 

in this notice mandates that school 

officials allow an F–1 nonimmigrant 

student to take a reduced course load if 

the reduction would not meet the 

academic institution’s minimum course 

load requirement for continued 

enrollment.48

Off-Campus Employment Authorization 

What regulatory requirements does this 

notice temporarily suspend relating to 

off-campus employment? 

For an F–1 nonimmigrant student 

covered by this notice, as provided 

under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(A), the 

Secretary is suspending the following 

regulatory requirements relating to offcampus employment: 

(a) The requirement that a student 

must have been in F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status for one full academic year 

to be eligible for off-campus 

employment; 

(b) The requirement that an F–1 

nonimmigrant student must 

demonstrate that acceptance of 

employment will not interfere with the 

student’s carrying a full course of study; 

(c) The requirement that limits an F– 

1 nonimmigrant student’s employment 

authorization to no more than 20 hours 

per week of off-campus employment 

while the school is in session; and 

(d) The requirement that the student 

demonstrate that employment under 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(9)(i) is unavailable or 

otherwise insufficient to meet the needs 

that have arisen as a result of the 

unforeseen circumstances. 

Will an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

receives off-campus employment 

authorization under this notice have 

authorization to reduce the normal 

course load and still maintain F–1 

nonimmigrant status? 

Yes. DHS will deem an F–1 

nonimmigrant student who receives offcampus employment authorization by 

means of this notice to be engaged in a 

‘‘full course of study’’ 49 for the purpose 

of maintaining F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status for the duration of the 

student’s employment authorization if 

the student satisfies the minimum 

course load requirement described in 

this notice, consistent with 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(6)(i)(F). However, the 

authorization for a reduced course load 

is solely for DHS purposes of 

determining valid F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status. Nothing in this notice 

mandates that school officials allow an 

F–1 nonimmigrant student to take a 

reduced course load if such reduced 

course load would not meet the school’s 

minimum course load requirement.50

How may an eligible F–1 nonimmigrant 

student obtain employment 

authorization for off-campus 

employment with a reduced course load 

under this notice? 

An F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

file a Form I–765, Application for 

Employment Authorization, with USCIS 

to apply for off-campus employment 

authorization based on severe economic 

hardship directly resulting from the 

current crisis in Sudan.51 Filing 

instructions are located at https://

www.uscis.gov/i-765. 

Fee considerations. Submission of a 

Form I–765 currently requires payment 

of a $410 fee. An applicant who is 

unable to pay the fee may submit a 

completed Form I–912, Request for Fee 

Waiver, along with the Form I–765, 

Application for Employment 

Authorization. See https://

www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/ 

additional-information-on-filing-a-feewaiver.The submission must include an 

explanation about why USCIS should 

grant the fee waiver and the reason(s) 

for the inability to pay, and any 

evidence to support the reason(s). See 8 

CFR 103.7(c) (Oct. 1, 2020). 

Supporting documentation. An F–1 

nonimmigrant student seeking offcampus employment authorization due 

to severe economic hardship must 

demonstrate the following to their DSO: 

(1) This employment is necessary to 

avoid severe economic hardship; and 

(2) The hardship is a direct result of 

the current crisis in Sudan. 

If the DSO agrees that the F–1 

nonimmigrant student is entitled to 

receive such employment authorization, 

the DSO must recommend application 

approval to USCIS by entering the 

following statement in the remarks field 

of the student’s SEVIS record, which 

will then appear on that student’s Form 

I–20: 

Recommended for off-campus 

employment authorization in excess of 

20 hours per week and reduced course 

load under the Special Student Relief 

authorization from the date of the 

USCIS authorization noted on Form I– 

766 until [DSO must insert the program 

end date or the end date of this notice, 

whichever date comes first].52

The F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

then file the properly endorsed Form I– 

20 and Form I–765 according to the 

instructions for the Form I–765. The F– 

1 nonimmigrant student may begin 

working off campus only upon receipt 

of the EAD from USCIS. 

DSO recommendation. In making a 

recommendation that an F–1 

nonimmigrant student be approved for 

Special Student Relief, the DSO certifies 

that: 

(a) The F–1 nonimmigrant student is 

in good academic standing and is 

carrying a ‘‘full course of study’’ 53 at the 

time of the request for employment 

authorization; 

(b) The F–1 nonimmigrant student is 

a citizen of Sudan, regardless of country 

of birth (or an individual having no 

nationality who last habitually resided 

in Sudan), and is experiencing severe 

economic hardship as a direct result of 

the current crisis in Sudan, as 

documented on the Form I–20; 

(c) The F–1 nonimmigrant student has 

confirmed that the student will comply 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 56863 

54 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(v). 

55 Guidance for direct filing addresses can be 

found here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765-addresses. 

56See DHS Study in the States, Special Student 

Relief, https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students/ 

special-student-relief (last visited May 10, 2023). 57See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). 

with the reduced course load 

requirements of this notice and register 

for the duration of the authorized 

employment for a minimum of six 

semester or quarter hours of instruction 

per academic term if at the 

undergraduate level, or for a minimum 

of three semester or quarter hours of 

instruction per academic term if the 

student is at the graduate level; 54 and 

(d) The off-campus employment is 

necessary to alleviate severe economic 

hardship to the individual as a direct 

result of the current crisis in Sudan. 

Processing. To facilitate prompt 

adjudication of the student’s application 

for off-campus employment 

authorization under 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(9)(ii)(C), the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student should do both of the following: 

(a) Ensure that the application 

package includes the following 

documents: 

(1) A completed Form I–765 with all 

applicable supporting evidence; 

(2) The required fee or properly 

documented fee waiver request as 

defined in 8 CFR 103.7(c) (Oct. 1, 2020); 

and 

(3) A signed and dated copy of the 

student’s Form I–20 with the 

appropriate DSO recommendation, as 

previously described in this notice; and 

(b) Send the application in an 

envelope which is clearly marked on the 

front of the envelope, bottom right-hand 

side, with the phrase ‘‘SPECIAL 

STUDENT RELIEF.’’ 55 Failure to 

include this notation may result in 

significant processing delays. 

If USCIS approves the student’s Form 

I–765, USCIS will send the student a 

Form I–766 EAD as evidence of 

employment authorization. The EAD 

will contain an expiration date that does 

not exceed the end of the granted 

temporary relief. 

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) 

Considerations 

Can an F–1 nonimmigrant student apply 

for TPS and for benefits under this 

notice at the same time? 

Yes. An F–1 nonimmigrant student 

who has not yet applied for TPS or for 

other relief that reduces the student’s 

course load per term and permits an 

increased number of work hours per 

week, such as Special Student Relief,56

under this notice has two options. 

Under the first option, the F–1 

nonimmigrant student may apply for 

TPS according to the instructions in the 

USCIS notice designating Sudan for TPS 

elsewhere in this issue of the Federal 

Register. All TPS applicants must file a 

Form I–821, Application for Temporary 

Protected Status, with the appropriate 

fee (or request a fee waiver). Although 

not required to do so, if F–1 

nonimmigrant students want to obtain a 

new TPS-related EAD that is valid 

through April 19, 2025, and to be 

eligible for automatic EAD extensions 

that may be available to certain EADs 

with an A–12 or C–19 category code, 

they must file Form I–765 and pay the 

Form I–765 fee (or request a fee waiver). 

After receiving the TPS-related EAD, an 

F–1 nonimmigrant student may request 

that their DSO make the required entry 

in SEVIS and issue an updated Form I– 

20, which notates that the 

nonimmigrant student has been 

authorized to carry a reduced course 

load, as described in this notice. As long 

as the F–1 nonimmigrant student 

maintains the minimum course load 

described in this notice, does not 

otherwise violate their nonimmigrant 

status, including as provided under 8 

CFR 214.1(g), and maintains TPS, then 

the student maintains F–1 status and 

TPS concurrently. 

Under the second option, the F–1 

nonimmigrant student may apply for an 

EAD under Special Student Relief by 

filing Form I–765 with the location 

specified in the filing instructions. At 

the same time, the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student may file a separate TPS 

application, but must submit the Form 

I–821 according to the instructions 

provided in the Federal Register notice 

designating Sudan for TPS. If the F–1 

nonimmigrant student has already 

applied for employment authorization 

under Special Student Relief, they are 

not required to submit the Form I–765 

as part of the TPS application. However, 

some nonimmigrant students may wish 

to obtain a TPS-related EAD in light of 

certain extensions that may be available 

to EADs with an A–12 or C–19 category 

code that are not available to the C–3 

category under which Special Student 

Relief falls. The F–1 nonimmigrant 

student should check the appropriate 

box when filling out Form I–821 to 

indicate whether a TPS-related EAD is 

being requested. Again, as long as the F– 

1 nonimmigrant student maintains the 

minimum course load described in this 

notice and does not otherwise violate 

the student’s nonimmigrant status, 

included as provided under 8 CFR 

214.1(g), the nonimmigrant will be able 

to maintain compliance requirements 

for F–1 nonimmigrant student status 

while having TPS. 

When a student applies simultaneously 

for TPS and benefits under this notice, 

what is the minimum course load 

requirement while an application for 

employment authorization is pending? 

The F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

maintain normal course load 

requirements for a ‘‘full course of 

study’’ 57 unless or until the 

nonimmigrant student receives 

employment authorization under this 

notice. TPS-related employment 

authorization, by itself, does not 

authorize a nonimmigrant student to 

drop below twelve credit hours, or 

otherwise applicable minimum 

requirements (e.g., clock hours for nontraditional academic programs). Once 

approved for a TPS-related EAD and 

Special Student Relief employment 

authorization, as indicated by the DSO’s 

required entry in SEVIS and issuance of 

an updated Form I–20, the F–1 

nonimmigrant student may drop below 

twelve credit hours, or otherwise 

applicable minimum requirements (with 

a minimum of six semester or quarter 

hours of instruction per academic term 

if at the undergraduate level, or for a 

minimum of three semester or quarter 

hours of instruction per academic term 

if at the graduate level). See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(5)(v), (f)(6), and (f)(9)(i) and (ii). 

How does a student who has received a 

TPS-related EAD then apply for 

authorization to take a reduced course 

load under this notice? 

There is no further application 

process with USCIS if a student has 

been approved for a TPS-related EAD. 

The F–1 nonimmigrant student must 

demonstrate and provide 

documentation to the DSO of the direct 

economic hardship resulting from the 

current crisis in Sudan. The DSO will 

then verify and update the student’s 

record in SEVIS to enable the F–1 

nonimmigrant student with TPS to 

reduce the course load without any 

further action or application. No other 

EAD needs to be issued for the F–1 

nonimmigrant student to have 

employment authorization. 

Can a noncitizen who has been granted 

TPS apply for reinstatement of F–1 

nonimmigrant student status after the 

noncitizen’s F–1 nonimmigrant student 

status has lapsed? 

Yes. Regulations permit certain 

students who fall out of F–1 

nonimmigrant student status to apply 

for reinstatement. See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(16). This provision may apply 

to students who worked on a TPSrelated EAD or dropped their course 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
56864 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 160 / Monday, August 21, 2023 / Notices 

58Because the suspension of requirements under 

this notice applies throughout an academic term 

during which the suspension is in effect, DHS 

considers an F–1 nonimmigrant student who 

engages in a reduced course load or employment (or 

both) after this notice is effective to be engaging in 

a ‘‘full course of study,’’ see 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6), and 

eligible for employment authorization, through the 

end of any academic term for which such student 

is matriculated as of April 19, 2025, provided the 

student satisfies the minimum course load 

requirements in this notice. 

load before publication of this notice, 

and therefore fell out of student status. 

These students must satisfy the criteria 

set forth in the F–1 nonimmigrant 

student status reinstatement regulations. 

How long will this notice remain in 

effect? 

This notice grants temporary relief 

until April 19, 2025,58 to eligible F–1 

nonimmigrant students. DHS will 

continue to monitor the situation in 

Sudan. Should the special provisions 

authorized by this notice need 

modification or extension, DHS will 

announce such changes in the Federal 

Register. 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 

An F–1 nonimmigrant student seeking 

off-campus employment authorization 

due to severe economic hardship 

resulting from the current crisis in 

Sudan must demonstrate to the DSO 

that this employment is necessary to 

avoid severe economic hardship. A DSO 

who agrees that a nonimmigrant student 

should receive such employment 

authorization must recommend an 

application approval to USCIS by 

entering information in the remarks 

field of the student’s SEVIS record. The 

authority to collect this information is 

in the SEVIS collection of information 

currently approved by the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) under 

OMB Control Number 1653–0038. 

This notice also allows an eligible F– 

1 nonimmigrant student to request 

employment authorization, work an 

increased number of hours while the 

academic institution is in session, and 

reduce their course load while 

continuing to maintain F–1 

nonimmigrant student status. 

To apply for employment 

authorization, certain F–1 

nonimmigrant students must complete 

and submit a currently approved Form 

I–765 according to the instructions on 

the form. OMB has previously approved 

the collection of information contained 

on the current Form I–765 under OMB 

Control Number 1615–0040. Although 

there will be a slight increase in the 

number of Form I–765 filings because of 

this notice, the number of filings 

currently contained in the OMB annual 

inventory for Form I–765 is sufficient to 

cover the additional filings. 

Accordingly, there is no further action 

required under the PRA. 

Alejandro Mayorkas, 

Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security. 

[FR Doc. 2023–17871 Filed 8–18–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–28–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services 

[CIS No. 2746–23; DHS Docket No. USCIS– 

2014–0003] 

RIN 1615–ZB92 

Extension and Redesignation of Sudan 

for Temporary Protected Status 

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and 

Immigration Services (USCIS), 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS). 

ACTION: Notice of Temporary Protected 

Status (TPS) extension and 

redesignation. 

SUMMARY: Through this notice, the 

Department of Homeland Security 

(DHS) announces that the Secretary of 

Homeland Security (Secretary) is 

extending the designation of Sudan for 

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 

months, beginning on October 20, 2023, 

and ending on April 19, 2025. This 

extension allows existing TPS 

beneficiaries to retain TPS through 

April 19, 2025, so long as they 

otherwise continue to meet the 

eligibility requirements for TPS. 

Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to 

extend their status through April 19, 

2025, must re-register during the 60-day 

re-registration period described in this 

notice. The Secretary is also 

redesignating Sudan for TPS. The 

redesignation of Sudan allows 

additional Sudanese nationals (and 

individuals having no nationality who 

last habitually resided in Sudan) who 

have been continuously residing in the 

United States since August 16, 2023 to 

apply for TPS for the first time during 

the initial registration period described 

under the redesignation information in 

this notice. In addition to demonstrating 

continuous residence in the United 

States since August 16, 2023 and 

meeting other eligibility criteria, initial 

applicants for TPS under this 

designation must demonstrate that they 

have been continuously physically 

present in the United States since 

October 20, 2023, the effective date of 

this redesignation of Sudan for TPS. 

DATES: 

Extension of Designation of Sudan for 

TPS: The 18-month designation of 

Sudan for TPS begins on October 20, 

2023, and will remain in effect for 18 

months, ending on April 19, 2025. The 

extension impacts existing beneficiaries 

of TPS. 

Re-registration: The 60-day reregistration period for existing 

beneficiaries runs from August 21, 2023 

through October 20, 2023. (Note: It is 

important for re-registrants to timely reregister during the registration period 

and not to wait until their Employment 

Authorization Documents (EADs) 

expire, as delaying reregistration could 

result in gaps in their employment 

authorization documentation.) 

Redesignation of Sudan for TPS: The 

18-month redesignation of Sudan for 

TPS begins on October 20, 2023, and 

will remain in effect for 18 months, 

ending on April 19, 2025. The 

redesignation impacts potential firsttime applicants and others who do not 

currently have TPS. 

First-time Registration: The initial 

registration period for new applicants 

under the Sudan TPS redesignation 

begins on August 21, 2023 and will 

remain in effect through April 19, 2025. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

• You may contact Rena ́ CutlipMason, Chief, Humanitarian Affairs 

Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services, Department of Homeland 

Security, by mail at 5900 Capital 

Gateway Drive, Camp Springs, MD 

20746, or by phone at 800–375–5283. 

• For further information on TPS, 

including guidance on the registration 

process and additional information on 

eligibility, please visit the USCIS TPS 

web page at https://www.uscis.gov/tps. 

You can find specific information about 

Sudan’s TPS designation by selecting 

‘‘Sudan’’ from the menu on the left side 

of the TPS web page. 

• If you have additional questions 

about TPS, please visit uscis.gov/tools. 

Our online virtual assistant, Emma, can 

answer many of your questions and 

point you to additional information on 

our website. If you are unable to find 

your answers there, you may also call 

our USCIS Contact Center at 800–375– 

5283 (TTY 800–767–1833). 

• Applicants seeking information 

about the status of their individual cases 

may check Case Status Online, available 

on the USCIS website at uscis.gov, or 

visit the USCIS Contact Center at 

https://www.uscis.gov/contactcenter. 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1